Neal proposes 700-home project in Venice

The developer proposed his third project for the Venice are in recent weeks — and the largest, by far.

By DALE WHITE

Developer Pat Neal has his sights set on North Venice.

On Tuesday, Neal proposed his third project for the area in recent weeks — and the largest, by far.

Neal, a former state legislator who has been one of the largest developers in Lakewood Ranch, told the Venice Planning Commission he wants to build a 700-home community flanking the new Jacaranda Boulevard extension.

The planning commissioners got an informal preview of a neighborhood tentatively called Villages of Milano, which will be south of Laurel Road and north of Border Road. They will conduct a public hearing after Neal files an application.

The Villages of Milano could include up to 700 single-family homes, villas and multi-family units. More than half of the 368 acres is to be retained as open space.

The land, which was annexed in 2005, is zoned for five homes per acre.

It follows two other proposed Neal developments within the city of Venice:

nThe Planning Commission recently recommended approval of Windwood, a 90-home subdivision by Neal on Pinebrook Road south of Laurel Road. The City Council will review it next.

nNeal also proposes The Woods at Venice, a 263-home subdivision at Border Road and Jackson Road that planning commissioners have yet to consider. That project is drawing heated opposition from neighbors who regard it as too dense for that rural area.

Jeff Boone, Neal's attorney, said the density of the Milano proposal is "a reduction of almost two thirds" of what could be built.

The Villages of Milano will "not be just another development," said Leisa Weintraub, vice president of marketing for Neal Communities.

She said the neighborhood would feature northern Italian architecture with stone and dark wood but "all with a modern flair."

Residents would have a recreation center with several amenities.

Neal, known mostly for his communities in Manatee County, has shifted much of his focus to south Sarasota County lately. He is already well underway with another South County community, the 1,999-home Grand Palm subdivision at Center Road and River Road, which is outside the city limits.